Bangoman
I understand what you're saying and that is exactly why these large corporation could get away with what they do.
There are attorney set their goal on either the fame or the potential pay-off. One would just need to search and find them. Easier these days if using the social media, which in turn might apply some pressure and result in settlement after the words gets out.
I know the tactic of delaying the process, the useful life span of the product, the limitation of a human life and of course the looming legal expense all come into play. But we have social media now..... one could get attention quickly and cost almost nothing.
Seriously, the idea or the product should be protected ( as we found out the patent right alone is not enough ).
If someone being so naive to hand it over to a large corporation on the silver platter thinking they could use the corporations resources to promote their product and get compensated, is, like asking a tiger to guard your safety while you sleep.